US President Donald Trump has again said that India will stop buying oil from Russia. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One on Sunday, Trump claimed that New Delhi will “cut back completely” on Russian oil.
Trump made the remarks while travelling for his Asia tour, which includes the ASEAN summit. He added that China has also reduced its purchase of Russian oil and that the US has imposed sanctions related to the issue.
Relations between India and the US have been tense due to high tariffs and India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. Trump had earlier imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, accusing India of “helping Russia” in the Ukraine war.
When asked if he would discuss Russian oil with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump said he might, adding that both China and India were cutting their imports.
However, India has rejected Trump’s claims. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India will act based on its national interest and ensure affordable energy for its citizens.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also said that the ministry was not aware of any phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump.
Despite this, Trump repeated that India had agreed to stop buying Russian oil, saying, “It’s a process… By the end of the year, they’ll be down to almost nothing.”
